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The Spartans (9-7, 1-4) had two chances to
force overtime, but Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard each missed
long 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds.
Quincy Guerrier and Justin Harmon added 10 points each for
Illinois, which improved to 3-1 without leading scorer Terrence
Shannon Jr., who was suspended prior to the Dec. 29 game against
Fairleigh Dickinson after being charged with rape for an alleged
incident in September.
Walker's 17 points led four players in double figures for
Michigan State. Hoggard added 16, while Malik Hall scored 14
points and Jaden Akins netted 13.
The Spartans outrebounded the Illini 37-34 and committed just
seven turnovers, but the difference came at the foul line.
Illinois connected on 18 of 22, including 10 of 13 in the second
half, and Michigan State was just 5 of 7.
Michigan State was coming off an ugly performance in Sunday
night's 88-74 loss at Northwestern, and afterward, veteran coach
Tom Izzo questioned his team's toughness. The Spartans didn't
answer the bell right away, enduring a 4:15 drought without a
field goal while Illinois established a 10-3 lead.
The Illini, who nearly beat No. 1 Purdue on Friday night in West
Lafayette, Ind., before falling 83-78, then expanded the
advantage to 10 on four occasions. The last came when Hawkins
swished two free throws at the 8:07 mark for a 26-16 lead.
The margin was still nine after a Domask layup with 3:21 left
when the Spartans finished the half with a surge. They rattled
off eight straight points before Harmon hit two foul shots,
making it 37-34 at intermission.
--Field Level Media
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